BIKING BIRDER I March 8th 2010 Marazion & Hayle RSPB Reserves and Memories of Childhood Holidays.

 

Day 2 of the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle. How many days will it take for me to cycle to the famous destination?

The 'straight' way would be about another 850 miles. Via Wales, The Peak District, Northern Ireland, The Lake District, Western Scotland, Cairngorms and North Scotland, well, it may take me more than the record 41 hours, 4 minutes and 22 seconds!

Fascinating to look through the history of the route  . . .

Land's End to John O'Groats Wikipedia

and see some of the more unusual records associated with LEJOG . .  .

Land's End to John o' Groats: record-breaking journeys by foot, bike and even lawnmower

Must add my own LEJOG story to the following website . . . 

LEJOG:
Your guide to the Land’s End to John o’ Groats cycle route

Sid, Barnaby, Albert and The Biking Birder at John O'Groats on ?

Meanwhile, on this day in 2010 . . . 

8^th March 2010

Total Eclipse of The Heart   [Bonnie Tyler]                    

               I woke up feeling that a major first part of the year had been achieved. The south coast had been traversed, I had turned around and now the way ahead was up the country towards The Northern Isles, Orkney and Shetland. “Let's do the west side!” I thought. Turn around Bright Eyes.

          The day was spent at Marazion and Hayle RSPB Reserves. I saw a Bittern flying around over the reeds at the east end of the reserve. 

          The east wind was not quite as strong as yesterday but it was still strong enough to slow me down. Well I couldn't expect to have it both ways At least the weather was dry and very sunny.

            Hayle was the place of my happiest family holidays when a child and I found what I thought was the chalet that we stayed in on the grassy slopes above the cliffs of Hayle  Towans. After photographing the chalet, I went down onto the beach and found the caves I remembered so well. The beach was large as ever; a massive expanse of sand that stretched away miles towards a distant lighthouse on a small island to the north. To the south the sands went across an entrance to a river and around to St Ives. A beautiful sight in the afternoon sunshine.

             Shopping at Aldis was memorable due to the character above saying hello!

                  Moving on a took the coastal route and came to Gwithian Nature reserve. Another birder reported that he had just seen a Northern Wheatear but I could not find it.

                  By now the sun was approaching the horizon so I went off along the grassy area to the north of the beach to look for a scenic place in which to pitch my tent and shelter from the cold easterly. Having done so, I watched the sunset over St Ives and although it was beautiful, the total lack of cloud meant that it was not the spectacular one I had hoped for. As it got dark though stars came out and Jupiter could then be seen just above the horizon though.

16.4 miles

482 feet up      587 feet down

BIKING BIRDER I March 7th 2010 Land's End and Broken Chair. Admit that I did it, that I dare.

 

7^th March 2010

Close to The Edge                              [Yes]

             I had a great day exploring the Land's End peninsula having cycled to St Just with an extraordinarily strong east wind at my back. I did not really have to cycle, the combination of gentle downhill roads and the gale meant that gliding seemed to be the way to go.

          Just before St Just, I saw a Peregrine take a flying Snipe and proceed to rip its head off. I found the headless dead Snipe on the road a little further on and placed it into my cellophane bag on the front of the bike. It was in there with an RSPB logo and a few pamphlets. It did not help that I forgot all about it until a brownish mush appeared amongst the soggy papers.

Whilst cycling later a little Weasel was on a roadside bank. Twenty seven Golden Plover were on Land's End airport and after enjoying close views of one of my favourite birds, I went down onto the beach at Sennan Cove. Here I met an artist, Jim, who was painting with oils, looking a stereotype of an artist; tall easel with canvas, oily palette and interesting apparel A lovely man, who coincidentally was a Reading Football fan. Now the coincidence was not lost on me. The only person that I had talked to that day with even the slightest interest in football and he had to be a Reading fan. I am a Villa fan. The match timed for 2:00 p.m. on this day was to be Aston Villa versus Reading.

          

              A stunningly beautiful day at a spectacular location, photographs were taken of the lighthouse and cliffs. Photographs were also taken of me and the bike, with Barnaby Bear as well, by the famous Land's End signpost. 

              Shelter though from the wind was impossible except by going indoors. I did just that to watch the match with the large confines of the restaurant at the end of the universe. Shock, horror and dejection at half time; 2-0 down and playing appallingly. Elation, relief and ecstasy ten minutes into the second half as Villa scored three goals before winning 4-2. 

               Now I will be honest and say that it was me that that broke a chair whilst celebrating the third goal! Jumping up excitedly as Villa's third hit the back of the net, I landed hard as the legs of the chair collapsed beneath me.

            The cycle back to Penzance was tough with the wind now in my face and very cold and strong. A puncture to the front tyre did not help.  

            I did manage to see the Whooper Swan [150] at Drift reservoir. Yet I could not find any rare gulls at Newlyn later though but I did receive a donation from a local sitting on the harbour key.

23.7 miles

1,371 feet up and down